Q. I’ve tried managing my diet and putting in so much effort, but I keep failing at weight loss. I’m curious about the specific stages of weight loss treatment at a TKM clinic.

It is incredibly frustrating when your hard work—even preparing healthy meals like tofu gratin—doesn't yield the results you expect. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), we don't view slow weight loss as a lack of willpower; instead, we diagnose it as a breakdown in the body's circulation system. We typically guide patients through four systematic stages. First, we assess for Spleen Deficiency (脾虛, Biheo). If the Spleen—the organ responsible for digestion—is weak, even healthy food is not converted into energy but instead accumulates as waste. Second, we clear out 'phlegm-fluid' (痰飮, Dameum) and 'blood stasis' (瘀血, Eohyeol). These are sticky metabolic residues and stagnant blood that block your metabolic pathways. Clearing these 'pathological wastes' is a prerequisite for effective fat burning. Third, we use customized herbal medicine to boost your basal metabolic rate. This is particularly important for those in their mid-30s or older, as metabolism naturally declines. The goal is to help the body burn energy more efficiently while managing 'false hunger.' Finally, we focus on habituation. This is the stage where your 'reset' body adapts to smaller, nutrient-dense portions without feeling deprived. By following these steps to stabilize your internal balance, we ensure long-term success and prevent the yo-yo effect. Let’s stop the cycle of struggling alone and start a systematic approach to rebuild your health.